‘Multi-task’ security model criticised

Security at Te Kūiti Hospital is not fit for purpose and nurses feel unsafe, their union says.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation spokesperson Anne Daniels said rather than specialised security, an ‘integrated security, cleaning and attendant services’ model operates at the hospital.

“There have been numerous instances when aggressive members of the public have presented to the hospital and the cleaner, also the security guard, is in a separate part of the hospital,” she said. “This means other staff (such as nurses) having to attend to potential violent and harmful situations in the absence of a security guard.”

The model is used by Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora through ISS Facility Services Ltd at four rural hospitals - Te Kūiti, Taumarunui, Tokoroa and Thames.

Staff members at the hospitals are ‘multiskilled’ but this may mean they are not adequately trained to meet the requirements for the role, Daniels said.

“They are cleaners, orderlies, grounds and maintenance staff as well as security. This presents a huge risk to everyone including nurses, doctors, receptionists and patients as well as the staff without the time or resources to provide security. Their right to a safe and healthy workplace is not being adhered to,” Daniels said.

Another union is also making a stand for its members including the ‘integrated’ hospital staff.

Enabling staff to cover multiple roles was not a problem provided there was enough of them, E tū director, Mat Danaher, said.

“Particularly in rural areas, not just in Waikato, people carrying out mixed duties has been happening for a number of years. Some members have been keen to become multi-skilled. What we’re not fine with is understaffing.

“Staff can’t provide a decent level of care to patients if there’s not enough of them, and that doesn’t just mean nurses. As the nurses have identified, it also means all those who support them.”

He said a “reduction in numbers by stealth” was at the heart of the issue, Danaher said.

Health NZ said the model had been in place for several years at Thames and Taumarunui before being introduced at Te Kuīti and Tokoroa hospitals.

Group director operations Stephanie Doe said Health NZ was not aware of any security incidents where staff had been unable to respond to appropriately.

A recently completed review is being considered and was intended to share the findings and recommendations.